NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Mayor Rahm Emanuel was very committed in his push to bring the draft to Chicago.
Emanuel gave Goodell his cellphone number and told him to call with any issues. Goodell says Emanuel not only "delivered" on the push, he "over-delivered."
It's the first time in roughly five decades that the draft has been held outside New York City. The 1964 draft was held in Chicago in December 1963.
City officials pitched Chicago's location, with 11 teams within 500 miles of the city and the ability to provide events indoors and outdoors.
Emanuel has been in touch with Goodell since 2012, when Emanuel proposed bringing the Super Bowl to Chicago. The three-day event starts Thursday.
